Alex and Ani announces CEO has left

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island-based jewelry maker Alex and Ani says CEO Giovanni Feroce has left the company for undisclosed reasons.

The company said in a statement Thursday that founder and creative director Carolyn Rafaelian has been named interim CEO.

Feroce told The Providence Journal "it's up in the air," when asked whether he left on his own or the company wanted him to. He says he's still a significant shareholder and wishes the company well.

The Cranston-based company sells in retailers worldwide and has many U.S. shops where it sells trendy jewelry made from recycled materials. It was founded in 2004 and has become one of Rhode Island's most visible and fast-growing businesses in recent years.

The company says a search for a new CEO is expected to take several months.